Porter Park Murder Suspect Arrested

On June 9, 2021, just before 5:00 a.m. Mesa Police Officers responded to Porter Park, located at 420 E. 8^th St., for reports of shots fired. When officers arrived, they found 42-year-old Tyrone Francisco with gunshot wounds to his body. He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. 

One witness told officers that two men, one of which was known to him, approached he and the victim in the park. This witness said that the man he did not know began cursing and yelling at them. As Tyrone walked away from the confrontation, the man shot him.   

On July 27, 2021, officers located both men and interviewed them.  21-year-old, Sean Newton, admitted to officers that he shot and killed Tyrone. He told officers that Tyrone presented a knife and lunged at him.

Sean was booked into jail for one count Second Degree Homicide, ARS 13-1104A2, a class 1 felony. He is being held on a $500,000 bond. 

2-Day Recap

Welcome to Friday!  What a week it has been for the Mesa Police Department… more specifically July 20-21, 2021. Let’s look at three cases involving our officers in those two days.   

On July 20, 2021, we had an officer involved shooting at the 4100 block of S. Neptune. No one was injured in the shooting, but 32-year-old Dominic Alvarez was taken into custody for Reckless Discharge of a Firearm-DV and Threats-DV. Officers responded to this residence after receiving multiple 911 calls for a domestic violence situation inside the home. They heard a gunshot from inside the residence and one officer observed Dominic point an AR-15 in his direction.  This is when the officer fired one round through the window of the home. Dominic was not shot, but self-surrendered without further incident after the officer involved shooting occurred. 

Dominic Alvarez Mug Shot

On July 21, 2021, we had officers around 80^th St/ Baseline for Operation Summer Project 2021. The officers were looking for 26-year-old Dane Smith. Dane was wanted for Theft of Means of Transportation as well as two outstanding warrants. After officers found Dane, they initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle Dane was in did not stop and officers watched as Dane fired rounds from a handgun at officers through the back window of the vehicle. Multiple bullets hit the officer’s vehicle in addition to three occupied houses. Eventually, the vehicle stopped.  Dane and the driver, 53-year-old Thomas Elliot, took off running. Both men were located and taken into custody. Neither suspect was injured, and officers never fired their weapons.   

Dane Smith Mug Shot- held on $200,500 bond

Thomas Elliot Mug Shot- held on $5,500 bond

Another call that took place on this day involved a vehicle purposely set on fire. Officers responded to Dobson Ranch Library, located at 2425 S. Dobson, and contacted 25-year-old Christopher Alvarado. Christopher told officers he was upset the vehicle would not start, so he set it on fire. The vehicle was next to multiple trees and a public library. Christopher was arrested for Arson of Property and Reckless burning.

Christopher Alvarado Mug Shot

These are just a few cases Mesa Police Officers have handled in just 48 hours. Between July 20-21, 2021, officers responded to 1,372 calls for service and booked 29 people into jail.      

Man Arrested at Colonade Motel

On July 11, 2021, just after 1:00 a.m., Mesa Police Officers responded to the Colonade Motel, located at 5440 E. Main Mesa, AZ for a person threatening with a knife. When officers arrived, they found and detained 29-year-old Corey Tyner.

While looking for additional victims inside the motel room, officers observed several boxes of ammunition, a firearm with a drum magazine (found to be illegally converted into a fully automatic weapon), and drug paraphernalia within reach of Corey’s three children.

One juvenile witness told officers that Corey entered their motel room and hid a firearm and a bag of “blue pills” under the kitchen sink. These items were removed by officers and Corey admitted to putting them there, saying that this motel room was his friend’s and that he entered after not receiving an answer when he knocked.

Corey told officers that he recently got released from prison in Oklahoma, that he is a convicted felon, and a prohibited possessor. He chose to hide the firearm in his friend’s motel room after learning the police had been called. He also admitted to the blue pills (Fentanyl) as belonging to him.

Corey was booked into jail for the following charges and is being held on a $5000 bond.

1^st Degree Burglary, ARS 13-1508A, a class 2 felony

Narcotic Drug Sales, ARS 13-3408A2, a class 2 felony

Tampering with Evidence, ARS 13-2809A1, a class 6 felony

Endangerment-DV, ARS 13-1201A, a class 6 felony

Possession of Weapon by Prohibited Possessor (2 Counts), ARS 13-3102A4, a class 4 felony

Misconduct Involving Weapons, ARS 13-3102A3, a class 4 felony

Narcotic Drug Possession, ARS 13-3408A1, a class 4 felony

Possession of Defaced Weapon, ARS 13-3102A7, a class 6 felony

Corey Tyner Mug Shot

Firearm found in baby carrier in Corey's motel room.